Gardening- Container vegetable gardening

I'll try to grow just about anything in a container. In my previous, much larger, raised-bed kitchen garden I had plenty of space. Nowadays space is truly at a premium and that's where space-saving containers come in.

Not only do containers save space but they also afford you the flexibility to move them around if the need arises. Recently, I've been experimenting with growing eggplant- or, more familiarly, aubergine- in five-gallon containers.

In my standard set-up each container has sufficient drainage holes, screen netting to cover the inside of the bottom of the container, two to three inches of stones to facilitate drainage, topped off by lightweight potting mix six to ten inches deep. In case of plants with bush-like growth patterns such as eggplant, I like to place a bamboo stake in the center of the container for additional support.

It's always advisable to place the stake in the container as you plant the seedling. Attempting to add a stake to support a mature plant may cause root damage. As the seedling matures, carefully secure the central stem to the stake using twine while leaving the stem enough space for the stem to mature.

My eggplant bushes are quite happy in the shade of my roof eave. The shelter of the eaves also shields them from strong wind, resulting in a lush, not to mention arrow-straight, plant. Bear in mind that any plants that may be sheltered from direct rainfall require careful monitoring to ensure that they are sufficient irrigated.

As for eggplant itself, as a member of the nightshade family it is closely related to tomatoes and potatoes. The plant is native ti India, and is commonplace in the cuisines of Asia.

The name that we most commonly use, aubergine, is deprived from the French for "peach", and we also use that word to describe the deep, velvety, purple colour that is characteristic of the fruit. The culinary options for eggplant are endless. One of my favorite dishes, which is of course entirely up-Caribbean, is Eggplant Parmesan, a classic Italian preparation. With three bushes about to bear fruit, I'm hoping that some of my readers have some suggestions- all will, of course, be warmly welcomed.